By Stuart Schwartzapfel
Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) souped up its Scirocco, a sporty coupe sold exclusively in Europe, for the Bologna Auto Show (Dec. 5-14). Dubbed the Studie R, this design study draws inspiration from the Scirocco GT24, a vehicle that raced in the Nrburgring 24-hour endurance race last May. The vehicle's design is intended to keep it on the road at high speeds: a so-called "splitter" in the front reduces lift while the rear spoiler creates downward force. The concept's 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine boasts 266 hp.
The Verdict: A study not destined for these shores.
Stuart Schwartzapfel is a regular contributor to BusinessWeek.com. He has studied the automotive marketplace and works as an advertising and marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works.